2. T Ball and 8U will play rain outs either on Sunday afternoons or on a scheduledpractice day once games have started. The league will schedule these rainouts.

3. Practice Dates – Additional practice dates can be requested for Saturday’s andSunday’s. Please do not abuse this. If you schedule a practice on a weekendyou are expected to keep that date once you schedule it. If you have to cancel arequested practice notify our web person ASAP.

4. Request a Time or Request a Field a. When making your request please list what your priority is first in your email.

i. If you desire a time then request that and we will try to accommodate that time, or as close to that time as possible.ii. If you desire a location then request your field first. If you request any PW field we will try to keep you there. If you request any other field we will try to keep you on a Hampden Township field.

b. The goal here is to minimize the number of times we need to email coaches. Ideally field request for practices should be a send and receive and that’s it. For rain outs for the 10U, 12U and 14U coaches we understand it may be more emails. Please be flexible and reasonable in your requests, and what you receiver in return.

Playing rules for the number of pitches a batter receives is designed to keep the game moving. There are always instances where we want to give the benefit to the batter for that extra pitch. Reasons for this are numerous, foul tip, bad pitch by coach etc. No matter how fair we think we are being to the batter there will always be a parent who wants to know why you didn't give their daughter an extra pitch. It is way easier to abide by the rules. It is fair to all the batters and keeps the game moving.

Point of Emphasis - Pitch as many pitchers as are interested. Offer the "Players Mask" to any pitcher and communicate to the pitchers parents the mask is available. KEEP THE GAME MOVING. No extra pitches please. A BATTER GETS 6 PITCHES THEN USES THE TEE.

8U Playing Rules - Section 4, articles 5,6 & 7

4. PITCHING –

Teams are encouraged to have as many players attempt to pitch as possible. The development of this skill at this age group is the back bone of any fast pitch organization. As much repetition pitchers can get before and during games or practices, as well as at home or clinics is imperative. All of our coaches should learn the basic drills for developing the proper pitching skills and work with all the players on each team.

5) Pitchers are allowed to throw a maximum of three pitches to any batter.

6) Coaches will pitch the next 3 pitches to a batter no closer than 25 feet.

7) A Hitting T will be used by the batter if no hit has been made by the batter after 6 pitches. Hitting T should be placed in front of home plate.

Many of us will play games this week with the likely hood of some thunder or lightning being possible during your warm ups and games. Below this email is CV Softball Associations Policy on Thunder and Lightning. It is important to note that this policy is the same as ASA whom our association is a member as well as the PIAA guidelines for all outdoor sporting activity. Most of us grew up when we needed to SEE lightning to stop a game. Today's procedures are much more strict. Please read the remaining email carefully so you are aware of the safety procedure when it comes to Thunder and Lightning.

Point of Emphasis - If you hear Thunder suspend the game immediately and seek shelter. If you see Lightningsuspend the game immediately and seek shelter. Your opposing coaches and umpires are required to follow the same procedures. Please review the procedure below for full compliance.

CV Softball Thunder & Lightning Guidelines for Safe Play.

We follow guidelines established by both ASA softball and the PIAA for both junior high and high school sports. In summary, if you hear thunder the game is suspended. If you see lightening, the game is suspended. The suspension is for 30 minutes after the last sight of lightening or sound of thunder. Below is an excerpt from the ASA rule Book.

If activity has been suspended due to lightning or thunder, the designated weather watcher should wait at least 30 minutes after the last lightning flash or sound of thunder prior to resuming activity.Each time additional lightning is observed or thunder is heard, the minimum 30-minute waiting period should be reset.A clear sky or lack of rainfall are not adequate indicators for resuming play. The minimum 30-minute return-to-play waiting period should not be shortened. Play should not be resumed even after the 30-minute waiting period if any signs of thunderstorm activity remain in the area or if the weather forecast indicates the threat is not over.

If you have any questions please contact your division coordinator or a board member. Your game umpire is aware of these guidelines. When it comes to player safety the HEAD COACH needs to make sure the inclement weather guideline is ALWAYS followed.

This program abides by the official A.S.A. 10 and under softball rules with the following exceptions. If you have questions about 8U contact the WSM Vice-President of Minors- Tom Welch at twelchsoftball@gmail.com or 717-856-4532 (cell).

I. THE PLAYING FIELD

A. Set-up: Home team shall be responsible for setting up the field.

1. Placing and removing the bases. Standard 60’ base distance should be used.

2. A Double first base is required at all game fields and ASA rules will apply for its use.

3. One new and one fairly new game ball. The approved 2016 ball is an 11”, Core .47, Red Stitch, 375 compression ASA approved fastpitch softball. Dudley 4A611Y.

4. Rescheduling make-up games.

B. Smoking: Anyone attending the game must abide by the hosting complex rules for smoking

restrictions.

II. EQUIPMENT

A. Batting helmets with face masks.

B. Jewelry: Players must not wear any jewelry (except medical bracelets and headbands).

C. General Equipment Guideline: Players may only use the equipment furnished by the sponsoring organization except:

1. May use own bat with the approval of the minor league representative.

2. On all bats "Official Softball" must be displayed and be legible

3. May use “T-Ball” bats.

D. Coach/Player Conduct with Equipment: Coaches and players cannot throw any equipment. Players throwing a bat: the first time is a team warning. The second time any player throws a bat the batter is OUT - dead ball. (No play).

F. Mouthpieces or defensive face masks are strongly recommended for all players.

III. PLAYERS, COACHES, SUBSTITUTES

A. Team Conduct: No intentional roughness by one player against another. For example: tripping, deliberately crashing into, pushing, pulling, and hitting. No swearing. No bad name calling of members of the other team. Terms such as no hitter, easy out, swing, etc. are not allowed.

B. Substitution: Free substitution of players in the field is allowed.

IV. THE GAME

A. Starting Time: All games will start at 1:00 p.m. Pre-game warm-ups are to be from 12:30 p.m. to 12:40 p.m. for the home team and from 12:40 p.m. to 12:50 P.M. for the visiting team.

B. Game Length: All regular season games are 4 innings or 75 minutes unless a different game length or time limit is mutually agreed upon by both coaches. The game may end in a tie.

C. Game Stoppage: Games are to be stopped in case of inclement weather or lack of interest from the girls. The coaches shall decide if the games cannot be continued. ** In the event of lightning, all players, families, etc. should wait at least 30 minutes after the lightning flash to resume play. (Please refer to 2014 ASA Participant Manual pages 180-182 for more details)

D. Batting Lineup: Every player present for a game is in the batting line-up whether they are in the field or not. (Except in Disciplinary Action the coach with that player must let the other coach know in advance.)

E. Players: Every player present for the game and in the lineup must play a minimum of 2 innings in the field.

1. Up to 4 outfielders (outfielders must play at the edge of the outfield grass). Outfielders must throw the ball to an infielder, and can only throw to second or third base on a hit. Outfielders are allowed to throw to any base to get a force out on a runner who has left the base, or on any pop up caught to create a double play.

F. Each player is allowed to play a maximum of 2 innings at any one field position. This rule is in place to allow the young girls to not be stuck in one position the whole game. The object of the game at this level is to learn basic fielding and hitting techniques.

G. Infield Fly: No infield fly rule.

H. Batting:

1. Players are allowed 6 total pitches to attempt to hit the ball. After 6 pitches, the player will hit off of the tee.

2. Balls hit in the infield or that reach the outfield through a field error will be ground rule singles. All runners will advance one base.

3. All runners may advance two bases at their own risk for ground balls or fly balls hit past the infield.

4. No advancing on overthrows.

5. The team at bat (the offensive team) may score no more than three (3) runs per inning during the game.

I. Fielding: Bases must not be blocked by the fielders; they must be accessible to the base runner.

J. Catchers: A catcher must wear standard catching equipment including shin guards, chest protector, and catcher’s mask. She must stand a safe distance from home plate. Either the coach or a player may return the ball to the coach/pitcher.

V. PITCHING REGULATIONS

A. At the discretion of the coach, girls can throw a maximum of 3 pitches and the coach will come throw 3 more pitches. After 6 total pitches, the tee is used. No balls and strikes will be recorded. (Do not continue pitching to the girls.)

B. Pitching distance is 30’. Modified motion (slingshot) is allowed. ** Coach may pitch for the player from 25 feet.

VI. BASERUNNER

A. Stealing: Players may not steal any base or advance unless on a batted ball.

B. Advancing Runners: No advancing runners on a dropped third strike.

C. Getting a Lead: Runners may not leave the base until the ball passes home plate. Warnings will be issued to the players.

D. Sliding: Runner must slide to avoid a collision.

Any rule interpretation or question that arises during the season will be decided by the Governing Body of the West Shore Minors